How to Leverage your Community to find Teaching Gigs

This is a guest post by Layne Averill, the founder of The Gem Life, a Digital Yoga Studio providing tools and resources for anyone looking to live their best life.

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As a kid my dad always use to tell me to be nice to everyone.

It seems so simple right? But really what a difference it makes when you greet someone with a smile or share a laugh and a moment with someone you just met.

When I sat down to write this blog post about how to create a community and collaborate with other businesses to teach yoga, I didn’t really know how to explain it. It’s intrinsic to who I am to easily connect with others.

I’ve had many people ask me: how do you meet people or create a new network?

The more I thought about it I realized it all goes back to what my dad always told me, be nice to everyone. Of course there are more tangible items than just this but at the root of how I have created my yoga community has always been sharing kindness.

This past year I relocated from NYC to Minneapolis and have rebuilt my yoga business here (as well as online). I am not going to lie and say it was easy; it wasn’t all the time. What I found was that if I just showed up as me, put myself out there and was nice to everyone around me, a lot of magic could happen.

Photo Credit: David Tufino

Since relocating to an entirely new city where my connections were scarce, I continually had to put my best face forward (and be nice!) in an effort to solidify new relationships while networking.

Integrating into a new community takes a serious amount of time and energy. I always had to be “on” because I never knew who I would meet that could lead me to a teaching opportunity.

Being the naturally enthusiastic yogipreneur that I am, I harnessed my innate abilities to solidify relationships. Next thing I knew, I was being offered all sorts of teaching opportunities in my new city!

Since moving here, I’ve been able to secure 2 teaching jobs and a handful of one-off opportunities that always lead to lovely relationships with the local businesses.

While I know not everyone is as naturally enthusiastic, extroverted and energetic as I am, the suggestions I offer below are simply that! Suggestions. Take what works for you and leave the rest. But with that, I encourage you to step even a teeny bit out of your comfort zone – you never know what will come of it until you try.

While you’re at it, don’t forget the impact that simply being nice and sharing kindness can have on those around you. 🙂

Check out some pointers below that always help me when thinking about leveraging a community to grow my yoga network and find teaching gigs.

Photo Credit: David Tufino

Tips to Connect with the Local Community

Go to blogger meet ups

Get into the blog scene! Social media is SUCH a beautiful platform and we are all just helping each other grow when we show support. Check out your local blog scene and join in on their next event. I found out about various blogs by searching on Facebook, Eventbrite and Google.

Don’t be afraid to cold call

I know it can be scary but seriously what do you have to lose? All the other person can say is no but they could also say yes. Pick a brand, company or business that makes sense with your style and if you want to somehow support them or provide services then tell them that! How would they know if you never asked?

Share what you are up to

Whether its on social media or in person. To an old friend or a new friend tell everyone what you are up to. This is how things grow. If you keep it bottled up inside then no one will ever know what you are up to. Stretch your reach by sharing with others who will continue sharing with those around you.

Enjoy your ride

If you aren’t having fun, learning and growing from the process then step back and reassess. This is the fun part, getting to meet new people and collaborate with new partners. So trust your process and laugh a little.

Most importantly, remember to be nice to everyone. You never know who you might meet.

About Layne

Layne Averill is the founder of The Gem Life, a digital yoga studio. A yoga, pilates, meditation and crystal specialist she aspires to help those find tools and resources to support them to live their best “gem” life

About the Author

Anne is a passionate yogi who loves to be active outdoors. When she’s not traveling to destinations near the equator to practice yoga and eat tropical fruit, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up nourishing meals with her partner, Brandon. A music junkie at heart, she is currently spinning: Tor, Hiatus, Friend. and Giyo.